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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
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12 Months Ended | ||||||
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Dec. 31, 2013
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| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract] | |||||||
| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES |
Principles of Consolidation – The consolidated financial statements include the balance sheets, statements of income, statements of comprehensive income, statement of stockholders’ equity, and cash flows of the Company, TOCCO, South Hampton, Gulf State and PEVM. Other entities which are not controlled but over which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence such as AMAK, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments - Our principal banking and short-term investing activities are with local and national financial institutions. Short-term investments with an original maturity of three months or less are classified as cash equivalents.
Inventories - Finished products and feedstock are recorded at the lower of cost, determined on the last-in, first-out method (LIFO); or market.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – We evaluate the collectability of our accounts receivable and adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon historical experience and any specific customer financial difficulties of which we become aware. For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, the allowance balance was increased by $0, $0, and $55,000 respectively. We track customer balances and past due amounts to determine if customers may be having financial difficulties. This, along with historical experience and a working knowledge of each customer, helps determine accounts that should be written off. No amounts were written off in 2013, 2012 or 2011.
Notes Receivable – We periodically make changes in or expand our toll processing units at the request of the customer. The cost to make these changes is shared by the customer. Upon completion of a project a non-interest note receivable is recorded with an imputed interest rate. Interest rates used on outstanding notes during December 31, 2013, and 2012, were between 4% and 9%. The unearned interest is reflected as a discount against the note balance. The Company evaluates the collectability of notes based upon a working knowledge of the customer. The notes are receivable from toll processing customers with whom we maintain a close relationship. Thus, all amounts due under the notes receivable are considered collectible, and no allowance was recorded at December 31, 2013 and 2012.
Mineral Exploration and Development Costs - All costs related to the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral deposits are capitalized until such time as (1) the Company commences commercial exploitation of the related mineral deposits at which time the costs will be amortized, (2) the related project is abandoned and the capitalized costs are charged to operations, or (3) when any or all deferred costs are permanently impaired. At December 31, 2013, and 2012, our remaining mining assets held by PEVM had not reached the commercial exploitation stage. No indirect overhead or general and administrative costs have been allocated to this project.
Plant, Pipeline and Equipment - Plant, pipeline and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is provided over the estimated service lives using the straight-line method. Gains and losses from disposition are included in operations in the period incurred. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Major renewals and improvements are capitalized.
Interest costs incurred to finance expenditures during construction phase are capitalized as part of the historical cost of constructing the assets. Construction commences with the development of the design and ends when the assets are ready for use. Capitalized interest costs are included in plant, pipeline and equipment and are depreciated over the service life of the related assets.
Platinum catalyst is included in plant, pipeline and equipment at cost. Amortization of the catalyst is based upon cost less estimated salvage value of the catalyst using the straight line method over the estimated useful life (see Note 7).
Investment in AMAK – We account for our investment in AMAK using the equity method of accounting under which we record in income our share of AMAK’s income or loss for each period. The amount recorded is also adjusted to reflect the amortization of certain differences between the basis in our investment in AMAK and our share of the net assets of AMAK as reflected in AMAKs financial statements (see Note 8).
We assess our investment in AMAK for impairment when events are identified, or there are changes in circumstances that may have an adverse effect on the fair value of the investment. We consider recoverable ore reserves and the amount and timing of the cash flows to be generated by the production of those reserves, as well as, recent equity transactions within AMAK.
Contractual Based Intangible Assets – The contractual based intangible asset represented Silsbee Trading and Transportation Company’s (“STTC”) right under its lease agreement to lease equipment to and receive lease payments from South Hampton through May 2014. The amount recorded for this asset was based on the discounted net cash flows STTC would have received, and represents South Hampton’s cost to cancel the lease by acquiring STTC. These costs are being amortized straight line over the remaining life of the lease at acquisition which at December 31, 2013, and 2012, was 5 and 17 months, respectively. The amortization expense expected to be recognized for the year ending December 31, 2014, is approximately $104,000.
Other Assets - Other assets include a license used in petrochemical operations and certain petrochemical assets.
Long-Lived Assets Impairment - Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable based on the undiscounted net cash flows to be generated from the asset’s use. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded is calculated by the excess of the asset's carrying value over its fair value. Fair value is generally determined using a discounted cash flow analysis although other factors including the state of the economy are considered.
Revenue recognition – Revenue is recorded when (1) the customer accepts delivery of the product and title has been transferred or when the service is performed and we have no significant obligations remaining to be performed; (2) a final understanding as to specific nature and terms of the agreed upon transaction has occurred; (3) price is fixed and (4) collection is assured. For our petrochemical product sales these criteria are generally met, and revenue is recognized, when the product is delivered or title is transferred to the customer. Sales are presented net of discounts, allowances, and sales taxes. Freight costs billed to customers are recorded as a component of revenue.
Shipping and handling costs - Shipping and handling costs are classified as cost of petrochemical product sales and processing and are expensed as incurred.
Retirement plan – We offer employees the benefit of participating in a 401(K) plan. We match 100% up to 6% of pay with vesting occurring over 7 years. For years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011, matching contributions of approximately $554,000, $518,000, and $472,000, respectively were made on behalf of employees.
Environmental Liabilities - Remediation costs are accrued based on estimates of known environmental remediation exposure. Ongoing environmental compliance costs, including maintenance and monitoring costs, are expensed as incurred.
Other Liabilities – We periodically make changes in or expand our toll processing units at the request of the customer. The cost to make these changes is shared by the customer. Upon completion of a project a note receivable and a deferred liability are recorded to recover the project costs which are then capitalized. At times instead of a note receivable being established, the customer pays an upfront cost. The amortization of other liabilities is recorded as a reduction to depreciation expense over the life of the contract with the customer. As of December 31 of each year, depreciation expense was reduced by approximately $1.3 million for 2013, $1.1 million for 2012, and $0.2 million for 2011.
Net Income Per Share - We compute basic income per common share based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per common share is computed based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus the number of additional common shares that would have been outstanding if potential dilutive common shares, consisting of stock options and shares which could be issued upon conversion of debt, had been issued (see Note 16).
Foreign Currency - The functional currency for the Company and each of the Company’s subsidiaries is the US dollar (USD). Transaction gains or losses as a result of transactions denominated and settled in currencies other than the USD are reflected in the statements of income as foreign exchange transaction gains or losses. We do not employ any practices to minimize foreign currency risks. The functional and reporting currency of AMAK is the Saudi Riyal (SR). In June 1986 the SR was officially pegged to the USD at a fixed exchange rate of 1 USD to 3.75 SR; therefore, we translate SR into our reporting currency of the USD for income statement and balance sheet purposes using the fixed exchange rate. As of December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, foreign currency translation adjustments were not significant.
Management Estimates - The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts receivable; assessment of impairment of our long-lived assets and investments, financial contracts, litigation liabilities, post-retirement benefit obligations, guarantee obligations, environmental liabilities and deferred tax valuation allowances. Actual results could differ from these estimates.
Share-Based Compensation – We recognize share-based compensation of stock options granted based upon the fair value of options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes pricing model (see Note 14). Share-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the fair value of the portion of share-based payments awards that is ultimately expected to vest. Share-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of income for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 includes compensation expense based on the estimated grant date fair value for awards that are ultimately expected to vest, and accordingly has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Estimated forfeitures at the time of grant are revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates.
Guarantees – We may enter into agreements which contain features that meet the definition of a guarantee under FASB ASC 460 “Guarantees” (see Note 13). These arrangements create two types of obligations:
Derivatives – We record derivative instruments as either an asset or liability measured at fair value. Changes in the derivative instrument’s fair value are recognized currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. Special accounting for qualifying hedges allows a derivative instrument’s gains and losses to offset related results on the hedged item in the income statement, to the extent effective, and requires that a company must formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting.
Income Taxes – Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded if there is uncertainty as to the realization of deferred tax assets.
Our estimate of the potential outcome of any uncertain tax issues is subject to management’s assessment of relevant risks, facts, and circumstances existing at that time. We use a more likely than not threshold for financial statement recognition and measurement of tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. To the extent that our assessment of such tax position changes, the change in estimate is recorded in the period in which the determination is made. We report tax-related interest and penalties as a component of income tax expense. We recognized no material adjustment in the liability for unrecognized income tax benefits. As of December 31, 2013, and 2012, no interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions had been accrued.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In July 2012 the FASB issued ASU No. 2012-02, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Testing Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment. This is amended guidance that simplifies how entities test indefinite-lived intangible assets other than goodwill for impairment. After an assessment of certain qualitative factors, if it is determined to be more likely than not that an indefinite-lived asset is impaired; entities must perform the quantitative impairment test. Otherwise, the quantitative test is optional. The amended guidance is effective for annual and interim impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2012, with early adoption permitted. The update had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In February 2013 the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. Under ASU 2013-02, an entity is required to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") by component. In addition, an entity is required to present, either on the face of the financial statements or in the notes, significant amounts reclassified out of AOCI by the respective line items of net income, but only if the amount reclassified is required to be reclassified in its entirety in the same reporting period. For amounts that are not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income, an entity is required to cross-reference to other disclosures that provide additional details about those amounts. ASU 2013-02 does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. ASU 2013-02 is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012. The update had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
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